The mental agility to quickly process information and to respond instantaneously is a highly prized skill. When put on the spot or asked an unanticipated question, the ability to think on your feet and respond in real-time with a clever or pointed answer suggests a powerful mind.
You are right. Quick-wittedness is a useful skill that can be mastered. The dark side of it is a cheat: when someone answers instantly but evasively. Politicians rely on this gimmick to reshape narratives but so do many corporate leaders. Quick is great, but it is no substitute for honesty.
I recently finished a fun little book titled, Cold Reading for Business by Ian Rowland. Toward the end of the book, he shares a communication strategy called, Fallback Answers. It popped into my head while reading today's post.
The goal is to remain calm and confident in your communications. But when people get hit with a question they don't know, that's where anxiety and self-doubt can creep in. Ian explains Fallback Answers should be used when you're asked for a comment, opinion, or speculation on a topic you are not entirely familiar with. It doesn't work for factual questions. I won't go into all the detail, but I'll share his first principle - Don't feel obliged to give an answer that is either comprehensive or definitive. Instead, stick to one or two key points of opinion or interpretation.
He gives the example, "I'm not sure we have time to address every aspect of [whatever the subject happens to be]. We'd be here all day. However, it is an important area and I'd like to just offer a couple of points if I may..."
You are right. Quick-wittedness is a useful skill that can be mastered. The dark side of it is a cheat: when someone answers instantly but evasively. Politicians rely on this gimmick to reshape narratives but so do many corporate leaders. Quick is great, but it is no substitute for honesty.
Certainly, Jim. It is a shame that learning to spin in real time would get the same credit for "thinking on your feet" in the way we all appreciate.
Great point/s.
In other words, we should perform our due diligence. Or as the Boy Scout motto goes: "Be Prepared."
Thank you for your time.
I recently finished a fun little book titled, Cold Reading for Business by Ian Rowland. Toward the end of the book, he shares a communication strategy called, Fallback Answers. It popped into my head while reading today's post.
The goal is to remain calm and confident in your communications. But when people get hit with a question they don't know, that's where anxiety and self-doubt can creep in. Ian explains Fallback Answers should be used when you're asked for a comment, opinion, or speculation on a topic you are not entirely familiar with. It doesn't work for factual questions. I won't go into all the detail, but I'll share his first principle - Don't feel obliged to give an answer that is either comprehensive or definitive. Instead, stick to one or two key points of opinion or interpretation.
He gives the example, "I'm not sure we have time to address every aspect of [whatever the subject happens to be]. We'd be here all day. However, it is an important area and I'd like to just offer a couple of points if I may..."